Referendum countdown: Cameron in plea to Scots

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Published:08:00Tuesday 16 September 2014

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David Cameron has spoken for the millions across the UK he says would be “utterly heartbroken” if Scotland votes to leave the UK.

In an unashamedly patriotic speech, the Prime Minister described Britishness as a “magical identity”.

PM David Cameron fears the break-up of the union

Emphasising the “British values” of fairness, freedom and justice, Mr Cameron said Thursday’s vote couldn end the United Kingdom.

In front of more than 800 Conservatives at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, Mr Cameron argued that remaining in the UK would see Scotland receive “unprecedented” powers over tax spending and welfare.

“I speak for millions of people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland – and many in Scotland, too, who would be utterly heartbroken by the break-up of the United Kingdom.

“Utterly heartbroken to wake up on Friday morning to the end of the country we love.

‘‘To know that Scots would no longer join with the English, Welsh and Northern Irish in our Army, Navy and Air Force in our UK-wide celebrations and commemorations. In UK sporting teams from the Olympics to the British Lions.

‘‘The United Kingdom would be no more. No UK pensions, no UK passports, no UK pound. The greatest example of democracy the world has ever known, of openness, of people of different nationalities and faiths coming together as one, would be no more.

‘‘It would be the end of a country that launched the Enlightenment, that abolished slavery that drove the industrial revolution, that defeated fascism.

‘‘The end of a country that people around the world respect and admire the end of a country that all of us call home. And we built this home together.

‘‘It’s only become Great Britain because of the greatness of Scotland.”